Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 9.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[519] when we were relieved by the Seventeenth regiment Georgia volunteers. During the affair of that evening, our loss was one man killed and eight wounded. About ten o'clock A. M. on the twenty-eighth ultimo, I was ordered to occupy and hold, until further orders, with my regiment, a ravine in a skirt of woods, on the left of Garnett's house, opposite the redoubts and breastworks of the enemy. As soon as we had crossed the ravine, and formed line of battle, we were ordered to advance by yourself in person, which we did, and, having proceeded thirty or forty paces, the order was countermanded. We were then ordered by you to hold our position, to cover the return of the Seventh and Eighth Georgia regiments, as well as to protect the pickets from our own brigade. We remained there about four hours. We lost in this affair one man, mortally wounded. The next day, twenty-ninth ultimo, we advanced in line of battle on the enemy's position, but found that they had abandoned it. We continued the pursuit of the retreating enemy during the twenty-ninth. On Monday, the thirtieth ultimo, we were ordered to reenforce General Longstreet, and made a long march of about twenty miles through the hot sun. Several of my men were overcome by the heat and fatigue of the march. We arrived upon the battle-field of that day about midnight, and slept upon the field in line of battle. About four o'clock A. M., first instant, I was ordered to deploy forward one company as skirmishers. I accordingly deployed Captain E. M. Seayr's company (F) as skirmishers in advance of the regiment, which advanced, in connection with your brigade, about a mile, when it met with, and intersected the skirmishers of, General Jackson's corps. From this point, finding no enemy in front, we were ordered back. About four P. M. we advanced in line of battle upon a new position of the enemy, into the woods, until we were stopped by the First Georgia regulars in front. We then moved a considerable distance by the right flank, and again formed line of battle. About five P. M. we were ordered forward. We advanced about three quarters of a mile, the greater part of the distance through an open field, under a heavy, deadly, and incessant fire of artillery and infantry, the shot, grape, canister, and balls raining around us like hail. When within a quarter of a mile of the enemy's batteries, we were ordered to march by the left flank, across a fence to the left, which we did, and then advanced in line of battle until we came to a road, within two hundred yards of the enemy's batteries, and rather to their right flank. We then halted, and kept our position until after dark, when the Lieutenant-Colonel of my regiment came to me twice, and told me that the enemy were flanking us. I then ordered the regiment to fall back and form line again; but there was such confusion at that time, and it was so dark, that it was impossible to form line again for some time. Our loss in this engagement was, five killed, sixty-six wounded, and four missing. The bloody and trying scenes of these recent actions before Richmond have served to confirm the high opinion I have ever entertained of the patriotism, courage, and efficiency of the officers and soldiers of my command. I cannot refrain, also, General, from expressing the gratification I experienced in witnessing the efficiency and gallantry of Captains DuBose and Troup, of your staff, and of Captain Coward, of General Jones's staff.

Respectfully,

Lieutenant: I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by the Eighth regiment Georgia volunteers in the engagement of the enemy:

About the hour of half past 3 o'clock, the regiment received orders to charge a battery of the enemy opposite Garnett's farm, at a distance of half a mile or more. The regiment moved forward promptly to execute said orders, companies A and B being deployed as skirmishers. The charge was made with great celerity and perfect order, and so rapid was the advance of our skirmishers that many of the enemy's pickets were killed and taken prisoners before they were aware of our presence. Within a hundred and fifty yards of the point of departure, one of our skirmishers was shot down. Moving steadily onward, the fire of the enemy made sad havoc in the ranks. Advancing some distance through a thick wood, about a hundred and fifty yards distant from its skirts, in an open field, the enemy's breastworks appeared in full view. In the charge through this open space, many of the officers and men were killed and disabled. We succeeded in driving the enemy from their position, which was maintained with great spirit and determination against great odds, until ordered to withdraw. The regiment fell back in good order.

The following is a list of the killed, wounded, and missing:

Among the officers, Colonel L. M. Lamar was seriously wounded; Lieutenant-Colonel J. B. Towers was taken prisoner; Major E. J. Magruder was wounded slightly; Lieutenant J. M. Montgomery, company E, was killed; Lieutenant C. M. Harper, of the same company, was taken prisoner; Captain A. F. Butler, company B, was wounded dangerously; Lieutenant W. W. Williamson, company G, was wounded seriously; and Lieutenant T. J. Blackwell, company I, was wounded slightly, besides twenty-three enlisted men killed, fifty-five wounded, and nine missing.

The bearing of officers and men on the field entitles them to the commendations of their superior officers, and the gratitude of their country.

Respectfully,